Portal bridge

• US 20040010520A1
• Filed: 01/30/2003
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Barber, Brandon, Tsang, Andy
• Granted Patent: US 7,428,523 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/200
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/563 Data redirection of data network streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/567 Integrating service provisioning from a plurality of service providers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99932 Access augmentation or optimizing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability

Abstract

Technology is disclosed for accessing multiple network resources through a single portal. A Portal Bridge directs requests from the portal to multiple network resources and channels responses from the network resources to the portal. The Portal Bridge receives a request from a portal that calls for a response from a targeted network resource. The Portal Bridge forwards a request to the targeted network resource to obtain the response sought by the portal'"'"'s request. The Portal Bridge receives a response to the request from the targeted network resource. The Portal Bridge processes the response and forwards the processed response to the portal. During processing, the Portal Bridge replaces links in the response with links to the Portal Bridge. This enables the Portal Bridge to receive and properly route any portal requests arising out of the links.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method of servicing requests, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a first request from a first network resource; and

(b) forwarding a second request to a second network resource, in response at least in part to receiving said first request.

2. A computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein said first request originates from a portal in said first network resource.

3. A computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein said first request addresses a portal bridge performing said step (a) and said step (b).

4. A computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein said step (b) includes the steps of:

(1) selecting a request parameter in said first request; and

(2) generating said second request, based at least in part on a value associated with said request parameter.

5. A computer implemented method according to claim 4, wherein said method includes the step of:

(c) forwarding a third request to a third network resource, in response at least in part to receiving said first request.

6. A computer implemented method according to claim 5, wherein said step (c) includes the steps of:

(1) selecting a second request parameter in said first request; and

(2) generating said third request, based at least in part on a value associated with said second request parameter.

7. A computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein said method includes the steps of:

(d) receiving a response to said second request; and

(e) processing said response.

8. A computer implemented method according to claim 7, wherein said step (e) includes the step of:

(1) modifying at least one link in said response.

9. A computer implemented method according to claim 8, wherein said at least one link is modified in said step (e)(1) so that a fourth request is forwarded to a portal bridge when said at least one link is triggered.

10. A computer implemented method according to claim 9, wherein said portal bridge performs step (a), said step (b), said step (c), said step (d), and said step (e).

11. A computer implemented method according to claim 9, wherein said at least one link is modified in said step (e)(1) so that said fourth request includes a request parameter corresponding to a fifth request for said portal bridge to forward.

12. A computer implemented method according to claim 11, wherein said fifth request calls for said portal bridge to forward said fifth request to said second network resource.

13. A computer implemented method according to claim 7, wherein said step (e) includes the step of:

(2) modifying a format of said response.

14. A computer implemented method according to claim 7, wherein said step (e) includes the step of:

(3) aggregating said response with at least one other response.

15. A computer implemented method according to claim 7, wherein said method includes the step of:

(f) forwarding said response to said first network resource after performing said step (e).

16. A computer implemented method according to claim 15, wherein said response is forwarded in said step (f) as a portion of an aggregate response.

17. A computer implemented method according to claim 15, wherein said first request originates from a portal in said first network resource and said response is forwarded to said portal in said step (f).

18. A computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein said method is performed by a portal bridge.

19. A computer implemented method according to claim 18, wherein said second network resource is part of an Identity System.

20. A computer implemented method according to claim 18, wherein said second network resource is part of an Access System.

21. A computer implemented method according to claim 18, wherein said second network resource is part of an integrated Identity/Access System.

22. One or more processor readable storage devices having processor readable code embodied on said one or more processor readable storage devices, said processor readable code for programming one or more processors to perform a method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a first request from a first network resource; and

(b) forwarding a second request to a second network resource, in response at least in part to receiving said first request.

23. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 22, wherein said first request originates from a portal in said first network resource.

24. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 22, wherein said first request addresses a portal bridge performing said step (a) and said step (b).

25. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 22, wherein said method includes the step of:

(c) forwarding a third request to a third network resource, in response at least in part to receiving said first request.

26. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 25, wherein:

said step (b) includes the steps of;

(1) selecting a request parameter in said first request; and

(2) generating said second request, based at least in part on a value associated with said request parameter, and

said step (c) includes the steps of;

(1) selecting a second request parameter in said first request; and

(2) generating said third request, based at least in part on a value associated with said second request parameter.

27. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 22, wherein said method includes the steps of:

(d) receiving a response to said second request; and

(e) processing said response.

28. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 27, wherein said step (e) includes the step of:

(1) modifying at least one link in said response, wherein said at least one link is modified in said step (e)(1) so that a fourth request is forwarded to a portal bridge when said at least one link is triggered.

29. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 28, wherein said at least one link is modified in said step (e)(1) so that said fourth request includes a request parameter corresponding to a fifth request for said portal bridge to forward.

30. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 29, wherein said fifth request calls for said portal bridge to forward said fifth request to said second network resource.

31. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 27, wherein said step (e) includes the step of:

(2) modifying a format of said response.

32. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 27, wherein said step (e) includes the step of:

(3) aggregating said response with at least one other response.

33. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 27, wherein said method includes the step of:

(f) forwarding said response to said first network resource after performing said step (e).

34. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 33, wherein said first request originates from a portal in said first network resource and said response is forwarded to said portal in said step (f).

35. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 22, wherein said method is performed by a portal bridge.

36. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 35, wherein said second network resource is part of an Identity System.

37. An apparatus, comprising:

one or more storage devices; and

one or more processors in communication with said one or more storage devices, said one or more processors perform a method comprising the steps of;

(a) receiving a first request from a first network resource; and

(b) forwarding a second request to a second network resource, in response at least in part to receiving said first request.

38. An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said first request originates from a portal in said first network resource.

39. An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said first request addresses a portal bridge performing said step (a) and said step (b).

40. An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said method includes the step of:

(c) forwarding a third request to a third network resource, in response at least in part to receiving said first request.

41. An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said method includes the steps of:

(d) receiving a response to said second request; and

(e) processing said response.

42. An apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said step (e) includes the step of:

(1) modifying at least one link in said response, wherein said at least one link is modified in said step (e)(1) so that a fourth request is forwarded to a portal bridge when said at least one link is triggered.

43. An apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said step (e) includes the step of:

(2) modifying a format of said response.

44. An apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said step (e) includes the step of:

(3) aggregating said response with at least one other response.

45. An apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said method includes the step of:

(f) forwarding said response to said first network resource after performing said step (e).

46. An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said method is performed by a portal bridge.

47. An apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said second network resource is part of an Identity System.

48. A method of servicing requests, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a first request from a portal;

(b) forwarding a second request to a first network resource, in response at least in part to receiving said first request;

(c) receiving a third request from said portal; and

(d) forwarding a fourth request to a second network resource, in response at least in part to receiving said third request, wherein said second network resource is not said first network resource.

49. A computer implemented method according to claim 48, wherein said first request and said third request address a portal bridge performing said step (a), said step (b), said step (c), and said step (d).

50. A computer implemented method according to claim 48, wherein said step (b) includes the steps of:

(1) selecting a first request parameter in said first request; and

(2) generating said second request, based at least in part on a value associated with said first request parameter.

51. A computer implemented method according to claim 50, wherein said step (d) includes the steps of:

(1) selecting a second request parameter in said second request; and

(2) generating said fourth request, based at least in part on a value associated with said second request parameter.

52. A computer implemented method according to claim 48, wherein said method includes the steps of:

(e) receiving a first response to said second request;

(f) receiving a second response to said fourth request;

(g) processing said first response; and

(h) processing said second response.

53. A computer implemented method according to claim 52, wherein:

said step (g) includes the step of;

(1) modifying a first link in said first response, and

said step (h) includes the step of;

(1) modifying a second link in said second response.

54. A computer implemented method according to claim 53, wherein:

said first link is modified in said step (g)(1) so that a fifth request is issued to a portal bridge when said first link is triggered, and

said second link is modified in said step (h)(1) so that a sixth request is issued to said portal bridge when said second link is triggered.

55. A computer implemented method according to claim 54, wherein said portal bridge performs step (a), said step (b), said step (c), said step (d), said step (e), said step (f), said step (g), and said step (h).

56. A computer implemented method according to claim 54, wherein:

said first link is modified in said step (g)(1) so that said fifth request includes a request parameter corresponding to a seventh request for said portal bridge to forward; and

said second link is modified in said step (h)(1) so that said sixth request includes a request parameter corresponding to an eighth request for said portal bridge to forward.

57. A computer implemented method according to claim 52, wherein:

said step (g) includes the step of;

(2) modifying a format of said first response, and

said step (h) includes the step of;

(2) modifying a format of said second response.

58. A computer implemented method according to claim 52, wherein:

said step (g) includes the step of;

(3) aggregating said first response with at least one other response, and

said step (h) includes the step of;

(3) aggregating said second response with at least one other response.

59. A computer implemented method according to claim 52, wherein said method includes the steps of:

(j) forwarding said first response to said first network resource after performing said step (g).

(k) forwarding said second response to said second network resource after performing said step (h).

60. A computer implemented method according to claim 48, wherein said method is performed by a portal bridge.

61. A computer implemented method according to claim 60, wherein said first network resource and said second network resource are parts of an Identity System.

62. A computer implemented method according to claim 60, wherein said first network resource and said second network resource are parts of an Access System.

63. A computer implemented method according to claim 60, wherein said first network resource and said second network resource are parts of an integrated Identity/Access System.

64. One or more processor readable storage devices having processor readable code embodied on said one or more processor readable storage devices, said processor readable code for programming one or more processors to perform a method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a first request from a portal;

(b) forwarding a second request to a first network resource, in response at least in part to receiving said first request;

(c) receiving a third request from said portal; and

(d) forwarding a fourth request to a second network resource, in response at least in part to receiving said third request, wherein said second network resource is not said first network resource.

65. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 64, wherein said first request and said third request address a portal bridge performing said step (a), said step (b), said step (c), and said step (d).

66. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 64, wherein said method includes the steps of:

(e) receiving a first response to said second request;

(f) receiving a second response to said fourth request;

(g) processing said first response; and

(h) processing said second response.

67. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 66, wherein:

said step (g) includes the step of;

(1) modifying a first link in said first response, and

said step (h) includes the step of;

(1) modifying a second link in said second response.

68. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 67, wherein:

said first link is modified in said step (g)(1) so that a fifth request is issued to a portal bridge when said first link is triggered, and

said second link is modified in said step (h)(1) so that a sixth request is issued to said portal bridge when said second link is triggered.

69. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 68, wherein:

said first link is modified in said step (g)(1) so that said fifth request includes a request parameter corresponding to a seventh request for said portal bridge to forward; and

said second link is modified in said step (h)(1) so that said sixth request includes a request parameter corresponding to an eighth request for said portal bridge to forward.

70. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 66, wherein:

said step (g) includes the step of;

(2) modifying a format of said first response, and

said step (h) includes the step of;

(2) modifying a format of said second response.

71. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 66, wherein:

said step (g) includes the step of;

(3) aggregating said first response with at least one other response, and

said step (h) includes the step of;

(3) aggregating said second response with at least one other response.

72. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 66, wherein said method includes the steps of:

(j) forwarding said first response to said first network resource after performing said step (g).

(k) forwarding said second response to said second network resource after performing said step (h).

73. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 64, wherein said method is performed by a portal bridge.

74. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 73, wherein said first network resource and said second network resource are parts of an Identity System.

75. An apparatus, comprising:

one or more storage devices; and

one or more processors in communication with said one or more storage devices, said one or more processors perform a method comprising the steps of;

(a) receiving a first request from a portal;

(b) forwarding a second request to a first network resource, in response at least in part to receiving said first request;

(c) receiving a third request from said portal; and

(d) forwarding a fourth request to a second network resource, in response at least in part to receiving said third request, wherein said second network resource is not said first network resource.

76. An apparatus according to claim 75, wherein said first request and said third request address a portal bridge performing said step (a), said step (b), said step (c), and said step (d).

77. An apparatus according to claim 75, wherein said method includes the steps of:

(e) receiving a first response to said second request;

(f) receiving a second response to said fourth request;

(g) processing said first response; and

(h) processing said second response.

78. An apparatus according to claim 77, wherein:

said step (g) includes the step of;

(1) modifying a first link in said first response, and

said step (h) includes the step of;

(1) modifying a second link in said second response.

79. An apparatus according to claim 77, wherein:

said step (g) includes the step of;

(2) modifying a format of said first response, and

said step (h) includes the step of;

(2) modifying a format of said second response.

80. An apparatus according to claim 77, wherein:

said step (g) includes the step of;

(3) aggregating said first response with at least one other response, and

said step (h) includes the step of;

(3) aggregating said second response with at least one other response.

81. An apparatus according to claim 77, wherein said method includes the steps of:

(j) forwarding said first response to said first network resource after performing said step (g).

(k) forwarding said second response to said second network resource after performing said step (h).

82. An apparatus according to claim 75, wherein said method is performed by a portal bridge.

83. An apparatus according to claim 82, wherein said first network resource and said second network resource are parts of an Identity System.